The Frome Family History Group met in the library to hear Dr Pat Smith speak about the project to produce a book covering the whole of the Jeremiah Cruse map.
Jeremiah Cruse was born in Rode in 1758 and was the first in his family to become a land surveyor. In 1802, Jeremiah went into partnership with William Smith in a land surveying business based in Bath called Smith and Cruse. William Smith is often named as the father of English geology. In 1813, Jeremiah compiled a detailed map and survey of landholdings in the parish of Frome with the names of the owners and occupiers of the various properties.
This map was the basis for a collaborative project involving Liz Corfield, Mick Davis and Dr Pat Smith on behalf of the Frome Society for Local Study.
It became obvious that there was more than one Cruse map and subsequent investigation discovered that one was held by the Longleat estate and one by the record office in Somerset. These maps are vast, and, by careful reproduction, it was possible to produce a fantastic atlas to include the survey book of alphabetical names, plots and proprietors.
A copy of this book can be obtained from the Frome Museum for £35.
Pat was thanked for a very interesting evening and for undertaking such an ambitious and worthwhile project.
Our next event will be the last to be held in the library when Alison Cannon will give a talk entitled Boaters and Boathooks: Victorian Voyagers on the Kennet and Avon Canal. From January our meetings will be held in the Cheese and Grain.
